A story on the Associated Press wire Tuesday reported that motorists in the Little Rock area are being ticketed for speeding through construction zones on Interstate 430 after they are caught by what appears to be construction workers.

But the workers are really police officers in disguise. Sitting atop road graders or other equipment, the officers hold radar guns, and when they clock a motorist driving above the posted limit, they radio one of their fellow officers waiting nearby.

Sound sneaky?

Maybe. But the unfortunate fact is that construction zones are very dangerous places for motorists to speed through. Speed limits are enforced for the safety of construction workers and motorists, but they are often ignored.

According to the AP story, 43 of the 46 tickets written between 7 and 10 a.m. Monday were for speeding, and 36 were given for going 70 mph or faster in a 55-mph zone.

The enforcement is part of National Work Zone Awareness Week, and this is the fourth year for the program in Arkansas.

Although the traffic around the state's capital city is usually heavier than it is here in the Arkansas River Valley, road construction and work zones are present along Interstate 40 near London and on state highways throughout the area.

The work underway near Exit 81 on Interstate 40 is part of the statewide highway rehabilitation program that began five years ago.

Currently, most of the work in that area is being done away from the interstate, but motorists still need to take the same precautions they would if the workers were close by.

Accidents that occur in work zones not only endanger the lives and safety of drivers and passengers, they cause hazards for the nearby workers and residents. They can also cause unnecessary delays in traffic flow, especially if the traffic is traveling in only one lane.

It's important to follow basic safety guidelines when traveling in construction zones. The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department offers several safety tips for motorists:

n Slow down as soon as you see signs marking a construction zone. Follow the posted speed limit. Don't speed up again until signs indicate it is safe to do so.

n Leave adequate room between your vehicle and the vehicle you are following to allow for changes in speed or sudden stops.

n Don't pass on the shoulder.

n Avoid using cell phones or other devices that may distract you from driving.

Always remember to plan ahead for delays that work zones can cause. But when you must drive through them, please be safe. It's important for everyone.